Joseph Klett, campaign manager for Ciotto, the 9th-District senator, said he filed the complaint against Republican Ralph Capenera in July, but announced it in a press release Tuesday because he hopes the publicity will prompt the State Elections Enforcement Commission to act more quickly on the matter.

``I just want compliance when it comes to campaign reports,'' said Klett, regarding his charges against the Capenera camp. ``But my hope is that it being in the paper will move the enforcement committee along on this.''

In his complaint, Klett cites nine violations in Capenera's initial campaign finance report, including failing to file the expenses associated with a February fund-raiser, failure to list any costs for a ``Ralph2004'' website and failure to file expenditures related to campaign signs.

Klett also complained that a campaign press release provided to area newspapers, a letter soliciting donations for Capenera's campaign and a fund-raising invitation did not include the ``paid for by'' requirement outlined in campaign finance laws.

Klett claimed the Capenera committee did not properly report proceeds from an ad book, and that a donation of $250 was not properly reported.

Neither Ciotto nor Capenera, who are fighting for the Senate seat in a district that includes Newington, Cromwell, Rocky Hill and parts of Middletown and Wethersfield, could be reached for comment Tuesday.

Hedberg, however, called the filing ``political nonsense,'' questioning Klett's timing in issuing the press release.

``How interesting that the Ciotto campaign sends out press releases on a complaint filed in July, just five weeks before the election,'' Hedberg said. Calling the alleged breaches ``political nonsense,'' Hedberg said he found it ``absurd'' that the incumbent senator would criticize his challenger.

``This complaint is coming from a man that accepts money from the Tomasso family that has been indicted,'' said Hedberg, referring to the donations made by William Tomasso who has been indicted as part of a state contract steering scandal. ``And he is going to complain about a man who is taking no money from any special interest groups?''

According to staff at the Election Enforcement Commission, Klett's complaint is being investigated, and may be addressed at the commission's Oct. 20 meeting, the last one before the Nov. 2 election.

``We want it adjudicated before the election,'' said Klett. ``To do it later just makes the election laws meaningless.''